Camera lens assembly

ABSTRACT

A camera lens assembly includes: a lens holder unit to which a lens module is mounted; a wire member fixed to the lens holder unit and the lens module, and resiliently supporting the lens module such that the lens module is driven in an optical axis direction; and a fixing member mounted to the lens holder unit to fix the wire member and dampen an impact generated in the wire member due to an impact generated in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Also, a camera lens assembly can include: a wire module resiliently supporting a lens module such that the lens module is movable in an optical axis direction on a lens holder unit, dampening an impact generated in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and transferring a current applied to drive the lens module to a circuit board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is related to and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119(a) to Korean Application Serial No. 10-2012-0075531, whichwas filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 11, 2012,the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a camera lens assembly, andmore particularly, to a camera lens assembly which has a simplifiedstructure, can support a lens module, and can dampen an impact appliedto the lens module.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, small-sized, light-weighted camera lens assembliesappear due to development of the digital camera manufacturingtechnology. Thus, as cameras are included within mobile communicationterminals, portable terminals within which optical lenses and cameradevices are included are becoming generalized. At an initial stage whencameras started to be included within portable terminals, theperformances of the cameras part of the portable terminals weresignificantly lower than the digital cameras commercialized those days.For example, in those days when the performances of the distributeddigital cameras corresponded to 4 megapixels, the cameras within themobile communication cameras generally corresponded to 0.3 megapixels,and the cameras within high-class terminals merely corresponded to 1megapixels. Currently, as precision of camera lens assemblies haveimproved, portable terminals, to which cameras having a performancecorresponding to 5 megapixels or more, are included are beingcommercialized.

The focal distance of such a camera lens module represents a distancebetween a lens and an image forming surface, and varies according to adistance between the lens and a subject. Accordingly, in order to obtainan optimum resolution, a distance between a lens module and an imagesensor needs to be changed according to the distance of the photographedsubject. In particular, when a high definition image having a highresolution is to be be obtained, apparatuses for correcting the focaldistance are essentially mounted. Such focal distance correctingapparatuses are classified as manual focus correcting apparatuses (formanually correcting a focus by a photographing person) and as automaticfocus correcting apparatuses (for automatically correcting a focus by anapparatus provided in a camera lens module).

The camera lens assemblies according to the related art are disclosed inKorean Patent No. 10-0849580 filed by the applicant (registered on Jul.24, 2008 and titled ‘Camera Lens Assembly’) and Korean Patent No.10-1058679 (registered on Aug. 16, 2011 and titled ‘Camera LensAssembly’). Because the existing camera lens assembly is of a type inwhich upper and lower plate springs are fixed to a housing, structurethe existing camera lens assembly is complex, and circuits for drivingthe camera lens assembly need to be provided on a lower surface and aside surface the existing camera lens assembly, making it difficult toassemble the camera lens assembly. Further, a camera lens is provided onthe front or rear surface of the portable terminal, and impacts areoften generated in a side surface direction rather than in a directionperpendicular to the lens. That is, when the portable terminal isdropped, an impact is applied to a side surface of the lens, oftencausing deformation or damage in the side surface direction of the lens.As a result of the deformation or damage, a defect is generated in animage and exchange costs are generated.

Thus, in particular, a camera lens assembly provided in an small-sizedelectronic device such as a portable terminal, which can realize smallsize and low price while maintaining a high definition image quality, isdemanded. In addition, a camera lens assembly which can be simplyassembled and structured, has a power source to easily supply power, andhas a high reliability against an external impact is demanded.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies, embodiments of the presentdisclosure provide a camera lens assembly mounted to a small-sizedelectronic device such as a portable terminal, which can simplify afixing structure thereof, and has a simple structure, and can be easilyassembled while maintaining a high definition image quality.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a camera lensassembly that has a high reliability against being damaged or deformedby an impact, the impact to be prevented from being transferred to thecamera lens assembly, the impact due to an impact generated in thecamera lens assembly or a dropping of a small sized electronic device.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a method forgenerating a pattern in a display apparatus. The method includes acamera lens assembly including: a lens holder unit to which a lensmodule is mounted; a wire member fixed to the lens holder unit and thelens module, and resiliently supporting the lens module such that thelens module is driven in an optical axis direction; and a fixing memberfitted within the lens holder unit to fix the wire member and dampen animpact generated in the wire member due to an impact generated in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a camera lensassembly including: a wire module resiliently supporting a lens modulesuch that the lens module is movable in an optical axis direction on alens holder unit, damping an impact generated in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis direction, and transferring a currentapplied to drive the lens module to a circuit board.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a camera lensassembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates perspective view of the camera lens assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a lens holder unit, a wire member, anda fixing member of the camera lens assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the lens holder unit, the wiremember, and the fixing member of FIG. 3 are coupled to each other;

FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which a lens module is mounted to the lensholder unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 7, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged electronic device. Hereinafter, acamera lens assembly of the present disclosure will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. In the specification, thethicknesses of lines and the sizes of constituent elements illustratedin the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of thedescription. Further, the following terms are those defined, accordingto the functions of the present disclosure, and may be changed accordingto the intentions of the user's customs. Therefore, the definitions ofthe terms should be made based on the contents of the specification.Further, although ordinal numbers such as first and second are used inthe description of the embodiments, they are only to help distinguishthe objects having the same name, and thus the order of ordinal numbersmay be determined arbitrarily and the prior description may be appliedcorrespondingly to the object of the lower order.

The present disclosure includes a camera lens assembly, in particular, acamera lens assembly in a small-sized electronic device such as aportable terminal. The present disclosure includes a camera lensassembly in which a lens module is fixed by a wire structure, and autofocusing is performed by the wire fixing structure. The presentdisclosure also includes a camera lens assembly which reduces an impactgenerated in the camera lens assembly having a wire fixing structure.More particularly, present disclosure includes a camera lens assemblythat, upon an impact generated in a direction perpendicular to anoptical axis of the camera lens assembly, prevents deformation of ordamage to the camera lens module and deformation of or damage to thewire member of the wire fixing structure. The present disclosure alsoincludes a camera lens assembly including a wire structure provided suchthat a current flows between a driving unit (for providing a drivingforce so that auto focusing of the lens module is performed) and acircuit board (for providing the driving unit with electric power).

Accordingly, the camera lens assembly of the present disclosure isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a camera lensassembly 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view illustrating the camera lens assembly 100of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera lens assembly 100includes a lens module 110, a lens holder unit 120, a wire member 130, afixing member 140, a wire holder 150, a driving unit 160, and a housing170. In particular, the wire member 130, the fixing member 140, and thewire holder 150 correspond to a wire module. The wire module resilientlysupports the lens module 110 on the lens holder unit 120, dampens animpact generated in a direction perpendicular to an optical axisdirection O, such as an impact generated in a lengthwise direction ofthe wire member 130. The wire module allows a current for driving thelens module 110, that is, a current applied to the driving unit 160, toflow to a circuit board 180. Thus, the camera lens assembly 100 of thepresent disclosure is configured for at least three functions. First,the lens module 110 is driven in an optical axis direction O on the lensholder unit 120 by applying a current to the driving unit 160, such as,a coil unit 161. Also, the lens module 110, resiliently supported on thelens holder unit 120 by the wire member 130, performs automatic focusingwhile moving in the optical axis direction O.

One end of the wire member 130 passes through the lens holder unit 120,and is fixed to the fixing member 140 spaced apart from the lens holderunit 120 to face the lens holder unit 120. Accordingly, when the wiremember 130 is deformed by an impact generated along a lengthwisedirection of the wire member 130, the fixing member 140 is flexiblydeformed to dampen an impact of the wire member 130 while minimizing theimpact.

The fixing member 140 and the wire holder 150 are provided at oppositeends of the wire member 130, the fixing member 140 is connected to thecircuit board 180 such that a current flows between the fixing member140 and the circuit board 180. The wire holder 150 is connected to thedriving unit 160 such that a current flows between the wire holder 150and the driving unit 160. Accordingly, the wire member 130 has astructure of a power transfer medium through which a current flowsbetween the circuit board 180 and the driving unit 160.

A lens array 111 is provided in the lens module 110, and the lens module110 is affixed to the lens holder unit 120 to be moved in the opticalaxis direction O. One surface of the lens module 110 is fitted withinthe lens holder unit 120, in particular, attached to and facing a sidesurface 122 of the lens holder unit 120. An opposite surface of the lensmodule 110 corresponds to a mounting surface 112 to which the drivingunit 160 is mounted (that is, physically attached) opposite to the lensholder unit 120, such as, the side surface 122 of the lens holder unit120. Opposite ends of the wire member 130 are coupled to the mountingsurface 112 of the lens module 110 and to the side surface 122 of thelens holder unit 120. Accordingly, if the driving unit 160 is driven,the lens module 110 is resiliently moved by the wire member 130 whilebeing supported by the lens holder unit 120.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates only a lens holder unit 120, a wiremember 130, and a fixing member 140 of the camera lens assembly 100 ofFIG. 1. FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the lens holder unit 120,the wire member 130, and the fixing member 140 of FIG. 3 are coupled toeach other. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lens module 110 is bound tothe lens holder unit 120, and the lens module 110 can be moved in theoptical axis direction O on the lens holder unit 120 to perform autofocusing. The lens holder unit 120 morphologically has a bottom surface121 and a side surface 122. The circuit board 180 connected to a mainprinted circuit board of a portable terminal, an image sensor providedon the circuit board 180, and the like are mounted to the bottom surface121 of the lens holder unit 120. The side surface 122 is verticallyformed at one upper end of the bottom surface 121, and one surface ofthe lens module 110 is set to face the side surface 122. In addition,the fixing member 140 is fixed to the outer surface of the side surface122. A coupling opening 122 a, through which one end of the wire member130 passes, is formed on the side surface 122. A through-hole 121 a isformed on the bottom surface 121 such that an extending surface 143 ofthe fixing member 140 (which will be described below) passes through thebottom surface 121 on the side surface 122 to be connected to thecircuit board 180 provided at a lower side of the bottom surface 121 sothat a current flows between the extending surface 143 of the fixingmember 140 and the circuit board 180.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a state in which a lens module 110 ismounted to the lens holder unit 120 of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 illustrates aschematic plan view of FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the wiremembers 130 are disposed opposite to each other on opposite sides of thelens module 110, and connect the lens module 110 and the lens holderunit 120 to resiliently and fixedly support the lens module 110. Theopposite ends of the wire member 130 are fixed to the lens holder unit120 and the lens module 110, respectively. That is, one end of the wiremember 130 (which will be described below) passes through the lensmodule 110, in particular, the mounting surface 112 of the lens module110 to be fixed to the wire holder 150. An opposite end of the wiremember 130 passes through the lens holder unit 120 to be fixed to thefixing member 140. The wire member 130 resiliently supports the lensmodule 110 on the lens holder unit 120, so that when the lens module 110is moved in the optical axis direction O by the driving unit 160, autofocusing can be performed as the driving unit 160 is driven. Althoughthe figures show that two pairs of wire members 130 (that is, four wiremembers 130) are provided on the side surface 122 and on the oppositesurface of the lens module 110 in which the driving unit 160 isinstalled (in particular, on opposite side surfaces of the lens module110 between the mounting surfaces 112), the present disclosure is notlimited the example shown in the figures. For example, the presentdisclosure can be modified as long as at least one wire member 130 canbe provided on opposite side surfaces of the lens module 110,respectively, to resiliently support the lens module 110 on the lensholder unit 120 so that the lens module 110 is moved in the optical axisdirection O by driving the driving unit 160 to perform auto focusing.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 5. Referringto FIG. 7, the fixing member 140 and the wire holder 150 are provided inthe lens holder unit 120 to which the wire member 130 is fixed. The lensmodule 110 is also provided to fix the wire member 130. The wire member130 having passed through the side surface 122 is fixed to the fixingmember 140. The fixing member 140 includes a fixing surface 141, a wirefixing surface 142, and a connecting surface 143. The wire fixingsurface 142 and the connecting surface 143 extend to opposite sidesurfaces of the fixing surface 141, and the fixing surface 141 is aportion at which the fixing member 140 is fixed to an outer side of theside surface 122. The wire fixing surface 142 extends from the fixingsurface 141 toward the wire member 130, and is spaced apart from theside surface 122 by a specified length D1. The wire fixing surface 142and the side surface 122 can be spaced from each other, for example, bybending the side surface 122 or bending the wire surface. As an exampleof the present disclosure, the side surface 122 is bent in the directionof the lens module 110 to be spaced apart from the wire fixing surface142 forming the same plane as the fixing surface 141 by a specifiedlength D1. A coupling hole 142 a aligned with the coupling opening 122 aand through which one end of the wire member 130 is fixed is formed onthe wire fixing surface 142. The wire fixing surface 142 can be flexiblydeflected with respect to the fixing surface 141 in a direction far awayfrom or toward the side surface 122. Accordingly, if an impact isgenerated in the lengthwise direction of the wire member 130, the wiremember 130 is deflected but is deflected in a direction far away from ortoward the side surface 122, so that a space having a predeterminedlength D1 by which the wire member 142 can be moved lengthwise issecured, thereby minimizing a deformation of the wire member 130. Thus,as the wire fixing surface 142 is flexibly moved, an impact generated inthe wire member 130 is dampened. The connecting surface 143 extends froma lower surface of the fixing surface 141 toward the bottom surface 121,and passes through the through-hole 121 a to be connected to the circuitboard 180 such that a current flows between the connecting surface 143and the circuit board 180. Accordingly, the circuit board 180, thefixing member 140, and the wire member 130 are connected to each othersuch that a current flows between the circuit board 180, the fixingmember 140, and the wire member 130.

The wire holder 150 is mounted to an outer surface of the lens module110, in detail, the mounting surface 112, and is mounted at a locationspaced apart from opposite side surfaces of the coil unit 161. The wireholder 150 fixes an opposite end of the wire member 130 and is wired tothe coil unit 161 mounted to the mounting surface 112 of the lens module110, and transfers a current applied to the coil unit 161 to the wiremember 130. Thus, the wire member 130 functions as a current transfermedium for providing a current transferred through the wire holder 150to the circuit board 180 through the fixing member 140. That is, thecoil unit 161 is electrically connected to the circuit board 180 throughthe wire holder 150, the wire member 130, and the fixing member 140.

Thus, in the camera lens assembly 100, auto focusing can be performedthrough the resilient fixing through the wire member 130; an externalimpact received by the wire member 130 can be dampened through thefixing member 140; and a current applied to the coil unit 161 throughthe wire holder 150, the wire member 130, and the fixing member 140 canbe transferred even to the circuit board 180.

The above-configured camera lens assembly 100 can fix the lens arraythrough the wire fixing module to simplify the camera fixing structure,and perform auto focusing of the lens array by using the wire member130. Further, the camera lens module 110 can be easily assembled byproviding the wire fixing module, reducing manufacturing costs.

Further, an impact absorbing fixing plate is provided at one side of thewire member 130 to absorb an impact generated in a lengthwise directionof the wire, improving reliability against an impact generated in thecamera lens module 110 and preventing deformation of the wire due to theimpact. Accordingly, reliability against an impact or damage to the wireand the impact absorbing fixing plate can be improved.

In addition, opposite sides of the wire member are connected to theimpact absorbing fixing plate and the coil unit and a lower end of theimpact absorbing fixing plate is connected to an internal PCB of thecamera lens module, allowing the coil unit to be driven and allowing acurrent generated by driving the coil unit to be transferred to the PCBthrough the wire member.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an embodiment,various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in theart. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changesand modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A camera lens assembly comprising: a lens holder; alens module adapted to move in an optical axis direction on the lensholder; a fixing member connected to at least one portion of the lensholder; and a wire member oriented in a direction perpendicular to theoptical axis direction, wherein one side of the wire member is connectedto the lens holder via the fixing member and another side of the wiremember is connected to one side of the lens module.
 22. The camera lensassembly of claim 21, wherein the wire member is configured toresiliently support the lens module and enable the lens module to bedriven in the optical axis direction.
 23. The camera lens assembly ofclaim 21, wherein the lens holder comprises: a bottom surface; and aside surface forming the at least one portion of the lens holder,disposed at one side of the bottom surface perpendicular to the bottomsurface.
 24. The camera lens assembly of claim 23, wherein the fixingmember comprises: a fixing surface connected to the side surface; and awire fixing surface: extending from the fixing surface to opposite ofthe fixing surface, and spaced apart from the side surface by aspecified length to face the side surface, a side of the wire member isconnected to the wire fixing surface.
 25. The camera lens assembly ofclaim 24, wherein the fixing member comprises a connecting surfaceextending from the fixing surface toward the bottom surface, and whereina current flows between the connecting surface and a circuit boarddisposed under the bottom surface via a through-hole formed in thebottom surface.
 26. The camera lens assembly of claim 23, wherein theside of the lens module comprises a mounting surface to which a drivingunit is attached to face the side surface, and wherein the wire memberconnects the side surface and the mounting surface.
 27. The camera lensassembly of claim 26, wherein a wire holder is attached to the mountingsurface, and the wire holder fixing the wire member and operativelycoupled with the driving unit.
 28. The camera lens assembly of claim 26,wherein the driving unit is configured to drive the lens module in theoptical axis direction is disposed on the mounting surface.
 29. Thecamera lens assembly of claim 28, wherein if a current is applied to thedriving unit, the current is transferred via the wire member fixed tothe wire holder and is applied to a circuit board via the fixing memberto which the wire member is fixed.
 30. The camera lens assembly of claim24, wherein the wire fixing surface is configured to deflect in adirection away from or toward the side surface with respect to thefixing surface in response to an impact generated in a lengthwisedirection of the wire member.
 31. The camera lens assembly of claim 30,the lengthwise direction comprises a direction perpendicular to theoptical axis direction, and wherein the wire fixing surface isconfigured to dampen the impact in relation with the lens module.
 32. Anapparatus comprising: a camera lens assembly comprising: a lens holder;a lens module adapted to move in an optical axis direction on the lensholder; a fixing member connected to at least one portion of the lensholder; and a wire member oriented in a direction perpendicular to theoptical axis direction, wherein one side of the wire member is connectedto the lens holder via the fixing member and another side of the wiremember is connected to one side of the lens module.
 33. The camera lensassembly of claim 32, wherein the wire member is configured toresiliently support the lens module and enable the lens module to bedriven in the optical axis direction.
 34. The camera lens assembly ofclaim 32, wherein the lens holder comprises: a bottom surface; and aside surface forming the at least one portion of the lens holder,disposed at one side of the bottom surface perpendicular to the bottomsurface.
 35. The camera lens assembly of claim 34, wherein the fixingmember comprises: a fixing surface connected to the side surface; and awire fixing surface: extending from the fixing surface to opposite ofthe fixing surface, and spaced apart from the side surface by aspecified length to face the side surface, a side of the wire member isconnected to the wire fixing surface.
 36. The camera lens assembly ofclaim 34, wherein the side of the lens module comprises a mountingsurface to which a driving unit is attached to face the side surface,and wherein the wire member connects the side surface and the mountingsurface.
 37. The camera lens assembly of claim 36, wherein the drivingunit configured to drive the lens module in the optical axis directionis disposed on the mounting surface.
 38. The camera lens assembly ofclaim 37, wherein if a current is applied to the driving unit, thecurrent is transferred via the wire member fixed to the wire holder andis applied to a circuit board via the fixing member to which the wiremember is fixed.
 39. The camera lens assembly of claim 35, wherein thewire fixing surface is configured to deflect in a direction away from ortoward the side surface with respect to the fixing surface in responseto an impact generated in a lengthwise direction of the wire member. 40.The camera lens assembly of claim 39, the lengthwise direction comprisesa direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and wherein thewire fixing surface is configured to dampen the impact in relation withthe lens module.